RACE ROSTER
Hoofin’ It Through the Hollows 5K Run/Walk
Oct. 25: Costumes are welcome for the annual 5K Run/Walk along the Highline Canal trail. 5:25 p.m. free Kids Fun Run Sprint, 5:30 p.m. costume contest, 5:45 p.m. walk/run begins. Fees vary. Prizes will be awarded in age and gender categories. Friendly dogs on leashes and strollers welcome. South Suburban’s deKoevend Park, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial,
Janus Rock ‘n’ Roll Denver
Oct. 17-19: The fifth annual running festival offers a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and relay with a finish line festival offering live music in Civic Center Park Oct. 19, along with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo at the Colorado Convention Center Oct. 17-18. Details on the website. runrocknroll.com/denver
BENEFITS
The Denver Gorilla Run
Nov. 2: Gorilla Run organizers have partnered with The Denver Zoo for the 11th annual 5K benefit for the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund (MGCF). Participants may run, walk, bike, skateboard, rollerblade or unicycle — anything without a motor. New this year are family-friendly activities including a Little Gorilla Obstacle Challenge. Participants may compete in the “most creative gorilla” costume contest. Everyone gets a full gorilla suit to keep (included with fee). 9-10:30 a.m. registration, 10:30 a.m. Most Creative Gorilla Contest and Little Gorilla Obstacle Challenge (age groups 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12), 11 a.m. first wave of 5K starts. Fees vary (based on age and whether you already have a gorilla suit) and include entry into The Denver Zoo the rest of the day; teams welcome. The Silverback Block Party for participants (free) and spectators ($10 each) follows with food, beer and live music. The start and finish is in City Park.
Great Pumpkin Haul
Oct. 19: Participants “haul” a pumpkin through a two-mile course with various obstacles. 8-9:20 a.m. choose your pumpkin from the patch and get it weighed, 8:45-9:15 a.m. pre-Haul boot camp, 9:30-10:30 a.m. the Haul begins in waves of 100 people every five minutes, 9:45 a.m. festivities begin including live music, cider, beer and more, 11:30 a.m. Kids Pumpkin Roll with mini pumpkins, 11:45 a.m. awards ceremony. Fees vary, teams welcome. Proceeds benefits Camp Com, a nonprofit that encourages outdoor activity for all ages. Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, thegreatpumpkinhaul.com
Kooky-Spooky 5K, 10K & Half Marathon
Oct. 26: All-Out Multisport presents the third annual race/run/walk along Blunn Reservoir to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. All levels welcome. Kooky or spooky costumes welcome. Awards presented. Online registration closes at midnight Oct. 23. Jefferson County’s NAAC Stadium, 19500 W. 64th Parkway, Arvada, e-mail events@alloutmultisport.com, alloutmultisport.com
Puppy Up!
Nov. 1: The fifth annual benefit for 2 Million Dogs, a national nonprofit for comparative oncology research. Participants are invited to walk in honor or memory of a pet or person they know has been touched by cancer; November is National Canine Cancer Month. 8 a.m. registration and opening ceremony, 10 a.m. 2-mile walk begins. A festival follows with entertainment, food and pet vendors until 2:45 p.m. $30 online registration before Oct. 30, free for kids age 14 and under with an adult, $35 on Nov. 1. Stapleton Central Park, 8801 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 2milliondogs.org
Scream Scram 5K Run/Walk
Oct. 17: Costumes are encouraged for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver’s annual Halloween run/walk. Start time is 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Pets (in costume) are welcome. An expo with treats and refreshments follows. Washington Park, 1100 S. Franklin St., 303-446-6820, e-mail events@bgcmd.org,
Spooknology for Technology 5K
Oct. 25: Participants may run, walk or sleep in for this annual benefit for the technology program at Silver Hills Middle School. Start time is 9:30 a.m. Costumes welcome. $20 adults, $15 students.Silver Hills Middle School, 12400 Huron St., Westminster,
Zumba for a Cause
Through Oct. 29: One-hour classes offered at 6 p.m. every Wednesday to benefit services and programs at DCCV (Denver Center for Crime Victims). $5 per class. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Studio, 119 Park Avenue West, 303-860-0660
SPECIAL EVENTS
Blood screenings
Oct. 21-24: University Hospital and South Suburban Parks and Recreation offer annual comprehensive blood screenings for $40 that include cholesterol and 30 other blood components. A 12-hour fast is required and you must be 18 and above unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Additional screenings also available. Appointments not necessary. Oct. 21, 7-8:45 a.m. at Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle, Lone Tree; Oct. 22, 7-9:30 a.m. at Goodson Recreation Center, 6315 S. University Blvd., Centennial; Oct. 23, 7-9:30 a.m. at Buck Recreation Center, 2004 W. Powers Ave., Littleton; Oct. 24, 7-9:30 a.m. at Family Sports Center, 6901 S. Peoria St., Centennial; 303-730-4610
Make Time for Your Health
Through Oct. 31: Bridges Health and Wellness at Lutheran Medical Center offers community health and wellness classes and services. Exempla Lutheran Medical Center, 8300 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge, 303-425-2262, wellnessatbridges.com
ONGOING
Feisty Fit Females
A free exercise group for female cancer survivors meets the final Thursday of each month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 303-798-7614,
Hatha Yoga with Jan
Through Oct. 31: Classes 5:45-7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30-9:45 a.m. Saturdays. $5 minimum donation for charity. St. John’s Cathedral, 1350 Washington St., 303-894-0648,
L-Town Nutrition
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday: Ongoing classes focus on fitness and nutrition, 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. Saturdays. Free. Reservations recommended, drop-ins welcome. 1360 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, 303-730-2038, e-mail ltownnutrition@gmail.com
Compiled by Vickie Heath, The Denver Post
Mail items at least 10-14 days in advance to Fitness Calendar, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202; fax 303-954-1679, e-mail living@denverpost.com
